LIS 570 - Research Methods
for Library and Information Science

1. identify ways in which research can inform professional practice

2. understand basic concepts, methods, terminology and definitions, in qualitative and quantitative research

3. evaluate the quality of questionnaires, interview schedules and other data collection methods

4. select an appropriate research design and carry out a small research study

5. organise, describe, present and interpret data

6. use a data analysis software package

7. understand descriptive and some inferential statistics.

Each student will write a critique of one of the research articles discussed in class.  The paper should be between 500 and 1,000 words in length.  Use the evaluation criteria detailed on the Response Paper page to guide your response. Students are encouraged to submit papers throughout the quarter, however, the absolute deadline is March 7.

2. Research Method Report 20%
Due date: see schedule

Each student will sign up to report on a particular research design or research method.  The report will be a one-page summary describing the method or approach.  The report may include two recommended readings with annotation as sources for further information.  Each student will give a 5 minute talk to the class summarizing their report. Many, though not all of the methods, will relate to the research article being discussed that week.  Students may choose to address these relationships in their report.

Written reports are due by 5 PM on Tuesday, and oral presentations will be given on Thursday.  During the weeks that class does not meet, oral presentations have been scheduled for the following week.  Written reports will be posted on the class website so that class members have a chance to download and read them before class on Thursday.  Written reports must be submitted via email at the E-Submit site for this course.

These reports will provide the class with a deeper exposure to the different methods used in LIS research, and by the end of the quarter will provide each student with a valuable portfolio and reference list of research methods. 

3. Research Study and Report 60% 
Due date: March 18 (Finals week)

Students will develop and conduct a small scale research study and report the results through a conference-style presentation and a written report. It is recommended that this work be done in small groups of 3-4 students. The research study will include both a qualitative research component (focus groups or individual open-ended interviews) and a quantitative component. 

The research report has three components: the abstract, conference presentation, and written report.

Abstract 10%

The ability to produce a clear abstract of a research report is an important skill.  Abstracts are due February 27th, one week prior to the conference presentations.  The abstracts will be used to prepare the conference program.

Presentation 10%

Conference-style presentations will be given in the last two weeks of class.  Each team will have 30 minutes: 20 minutes for the presentation and 10 minutes for questions.  It is not necessary that all members of the group be involved in giving the presentation.  Groups may divide responsibilities as they wish, and some members may have more of a role in the written report or in conducting the research project than in the presentation.

Written report 40%

The written report will contain the following:

1. the objectives or hypotheses

2. the major concept(s) and conceptual definition(s)

3. the major variables and operational definitions

4. the measurement instrument, for example the self-administered questionnaire or content analysis sheets

5. a description of the research design, for example a quantitative case study, an experiment.

6. a definition of the population (group of interest) and a short discussion of the sampling methods you would use in a larger scale study. The method for selecting participants for the pilot study should also be described.

7. a description of the data collections methods

8. the presentation of the results

9. a discussion and interpretation of the results, i.e. what they mean to you, and any limitations or concerns, for example ethical, validity, reliability.

10. conclusions

Please see details on the Research Study and Report.

Attendance at all classes is considered essential for an acceptable standard of achievement. All assessment work must be submitted on the due date. In cases where sickness, accident or other serious misadventure occurs, you should discuss the matter with me prior to the due date. Appropriate written documentation must be supplied.

I expect all students to be well-prepared for class; to have studied the readings and research method reports closely, and to contribute to class discussion.